To ween or not to ween

Hello, My baby girl is 9mos, and I am still bfing, she also eats solids.  She's doing great!  I'm really enjoying our bond, and I feel that once I hit the 1yr mark maybe it will be time to start to ween her....or not.  I feel such a connection with her, that I'm almost dreading the day when she doesn't bf anymore.  Has anyone felt that way before?  Should I keep going past the 1yr mark,and wait til she lets me know when she's ready to stop??  I feel so proud that I've hung on this long...every month that passed I'd say, ok I'll go another month, and so on... your thoughts?

[Limonada]

I think you're amazing, too - you SHOULD be proud :-)  

I don't think that anyone can tell you what you should do, it's in your heart - and by the tone of your post, I'd say that you already know, deep down, what you'd like to do :-)  

I weaned my first son by 6 months old - it was a mutual decision:  both he and I were ready to stop at the same time.  

My second son is nearly 4 months old, and I was expecting that I'd follow with what worked for my first son....and he's been much less adaptable in terms of bottle feeding so I'm still exclusively BFing.  I think I will be BFing for longer than I'd intended......which is fine, but I don't want to go past the year mark.  

Good luck with whatever you decide :-)

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

I am still bf my 16 month old.  They say that bf should be at least 1 year, and after that it is still great for baby and mummy if both want to continue after that time.  World health organisation promotes BF up to 2 years.

I attend a bf support group.  The leader told us that the highest levels of antibodies in milk are actually at birth and then from about 2 1/2 - 3 years.  Wow!  Right!  It is fine to breastfeed as long as you both are comfortable.  I've found some anthropological data that stated (after much research) that the 'natural' duration of breastfeeding is anywhere between 2 and 5 years.  

I love the bond that bf gives me with my daughter.  It as also 'saved' us when she's been sick.  I intend to breastfeed as long as we both want (likely i'll want it longer than she).  Baby led weaning, I'd guess.  We'll definitely stop before she turns 18!  Joke!  Anyway, I don't pump any more.  I feed her on demand when I'm with her.  She suckles all night on demand (maybe 2 - 3 times) and then in the morning when she wakes up, lunch time (if I'm able to get home for lunch - can't always) and then when i get home from work.

My sister whose son is now 20 months bfs on demand.  Mainly nights and mornings.... sometimes 1 daytime feed.  She is stay at home (but busy with a home based business, a far, and 3 kids).

My youngest sister BF two kids until 1 was 3 1/2 and the other was 5.  She weaned them both at the same time.

I have many friends here in Philippines who were BF up until they went to school.....

So bottom line.  Up to you and what feels good.

[tray12]

My daughter is a little over two years old, and I am still breastfeeding before naptime and before bedtime. If you are dreading stopping, than don't stop. Personally, I don't believe in putting a time limit on nursing. Your baby will wean herself when she is ready. It is a beautiful thing. It is what our bodies were made to do. Breastfeeding provides nourishment, along with creating a special bond and building self-confidence for your child! I don't believe you can go wrong in doing it.

[feather2e]

I just weaned my son who is 19 months, but that is because I am 6 months pregnant and didnt want there to be an issue when it came to breastfeeding my daughter. I had intended on doing it till he was 2. I  actually think the new guidelines recommend breastfeeding till 2. Either way wean when you think you are both ready for it .

[PamelaBee]

Thanks everyone for your comments.  I'm going to continue as long as my lil girl wants : )

[jamnavywife]

I had a plan to breastfeed til the 1st yr and then start my daughter on whole milk. Once her 1st birthday came around I let her try the milk but she didnt have much interest in it. I continued bf her and giving her a cup of milk once a day to try. Around 13months she slowly started weening herself. She would only bf for a minute each side and began taking to the whole milk more and more. I think for the last month she was bf it was just a comfort thing really. she was completely off bf at 14month. One thing, once you do stop (if you havent read about it yet) you will still keep producing milk. I havent breastfed in almost two months and can still "release" a tiny bit. My breast were very sore and leaked for about two weeks. Hot showers worked for me and I read cabbage leaves help too.
Hope this helps :)

Congrats on bf this long! You should be very proud! I was :)

Oh and about wanting to continue... I would have gladly but my daughter decided she was done. Sometimes its not really our choice :)